Minimizing fan energy costs
The configuration of a cooling tower or air cooler can contribute to fan inefficiency. Fan inefficiency can be undermined by too much tip clearance, poor inlet conditions, and excessive approach and discharge velocities. Too much tip clearance allows discharge air to circulate back around blade tips and into the fan inlet. Inlet conditions are especially critical with forceddraft coolers. Excessive approach velocity can occur if the air-cooler fan inlet is too close to grade or the cooler is crowded by adjacent structures. Cooling-tower approach velocity is measured at the inlet louvers. Excessive discharge velocity wastes horsepower. Energy consumption can be reduced by optimizing the tower or cooler configuration and the fan operating point, and through variable fan control.
- Research Organization:
- Hudson Products Corp.
- OSTI ID:
- 6346441
- Journal Information:
- Chem. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 92:13; ISSN CHEEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
AIR CONDITIONERS
BLOWERS
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL
COOLING TOWERS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LOSSES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
PRESSURE DROP
TOWERS
VELOCITY